HISTORY
The Easter lily we know today is actually originally from the Ryukyu islands of Japan, and was also grown for a considerable time in Bermuda. The modern Easter lily industry as we know it in North America today is largely due to several bulbs that were taken out of Japan prior to hostilities of the Second World War.
Ancient fables speak of the lily as arising from the milk of Hera, the mythological Queen of Heaven.  Another term used for Easter lilies was the "white-robed apostles of hope," derived from lilies that were reputed to be found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ's sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress. Churches often decorate their altars and surround their crosses with masses of Easter Lilies, to commemorate this event, and as a symbol embodying joy, hope and life. Throughout the centuries, poets have waxed eloquent about their beauty, with one of the best known poems appearing here at the bottom of this page. 

HOW ARE THEY GROWN?
It takes a great deal of time and effort to produce an Easter lily. An Easter lily bulb needs to be grown in the field for three or four years (as you can see in the picture here) before they are ready to be shipped to commercial greenhouse growers. Throughout that time, the bulb is never allowed to go dormant. The bulbs are then forced under controlled conditions to flower in time for Easter. This is a very tricky process since Easter falls on a different day each year. (Interesting fact - Easter is determined to be the first Sunday that follows the first full moon after the vernal equinox.)

HOW DO YOU PICK ONE?
When buying them, the best plants will have flowers in various stages of ripeness with just one or two open or partly open blooms, and three or more puffy, unopened buds of different sizes. The ripe puffy buds will open up within a few days, while the tighter ones will bloom over the next several days.

HOW DO YOU CARE FOR THEM?
As the flowers mature, remove the yellow anthers (pollen organs) before the pollen starts to shed. This gives longer flower life and prevents the pollen from staining the white flowers. Remove flowers as they start to wither by cutting them off. This will make the plant more attractive as the remaining blossoms open. In the home, Easter Lilies prefer moderately cool temperatures of around 18 degrees C. Avoid placing plants near drafts, and avoid exposure to excess heat or dry air.  They will thrive near a window in bright, indirect natural daylight (avoid glaring, direct sunlight).  They prefer moderately moist, well-drained soil. Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch, but avoid over-watering. If the pot is wrapped in decorative foil, be careful not to let the plant sit in trapped, standing water.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM AFTER EASTER?
Once the lilies have finished flowering, you can still plant them in your garden. Directly after they are done blooming, place the potted plants on a sunny windowsill. Continue to water thoroughly as needed, and add a little slow-release Hanging Basket Fertilizer every 6 weeks. Your Easter Lilies can be planted outside after the danger of frost has passed in a well-drained garden bed in a sunny location that has been enriched with compost. Good drainage is the key for success with lilies. Plant the Easter Lily bulbs 3 inches below ground level, and mound up an additional 3 inches of rich planting mix over the bulb. Plant bulbs at least 12 to 18 inches apart.  Mulch the area where they sit.  As the original plants begin to die back, cut the stems back to the soil surface. New growth will soon emerge. You may be rewarded with a second bloom later this summer, but most likely you will have to wait until next June or July to see your Easter Lilies bloom again.